Are Vertical Mice The Next Ergonomic Trend? 252
ThinSkin writes "Devoid of kookiness like many of its ergonomic counterparts, the VerticalMouse 2 is shaped like an ordinary mouse, only turned 90 degrees so that your arm is in a natural 'handshake position.' ExtremeTech's review of the VerticalMouse 2 suggests that its horsepower and familiar feel make it a worthy candidate to replace a horizontal mouse. Some of the drawbacks include its $75 price tag and difficulty to pick up in 3D gaming scenarios."
On trends ... (Score:5, Funny)
Seriously though, might I suggest inventing a self cleaning keyboard/mousepad.
Re:On trends ... (Score:5, Funny)
First they turned the computer case itself on edge. Then the mouse.
But I'm a tradionalist at heart. I will just lie sideways atop my office desk to restore balance to my universe...Re:On trends ... (Score:5, Interesting)
(BTW, I think you missed the OP's point...)
Re:On trends ... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:On trends ... (Score:2)
The price kinda held me off, though. And it didn't really seem all that sturdy, either.
Re:On trends ... (Score:2)
Handshake position is all wrong. (Score:3, Insightful)
For most people, the keyboard is still a significant UI and key-tomouse transitions won't be facilitated by having to go through a flat (keyboard) to vertical (mouse) sequence.
Perhaps a more natural thing would be to to use
Re:On trends ... (Score:5, Funny)
Did you buy that UID on eBay? I want to say you must be new here but something about my UID being an order of magnitude higher than yours prevents me from following through.
Re:On trends ... (Score:2)
A step backward (Score:4, Insightful)
If you compare the design of the VerticalMouse 2 with the Quill Mouse [extremetech.com], you can see that they're virtually identical...with one important difference. The Quill Mouse is equipped with a shelf where the edge of your hand rests. The VerticalMouse 2 has no such shelf. Without a support for your hand, you'll have to support the weight of your hand by:
or,
Now add to all this the discomfort the large-handed will suffer as the edge of their hands develop friction burns against their desktops.
Any way you slice it, this product is a bad design and a non-starter. Save your money.
Re:A step backward (Score:2)
I am one of those large-handed people. In fact, my hands are so large that when holding my current mouse of choice - the basic logitech scroll mouse - that both the area behind my thumb AND the right side of my hand including the right side of my pinky are rubbing on the table when I mouse. Thus, this won't be any worse.
Re:A step backward (Score:2)
Re:A step backward (Score:2)
Re:A step backward (Score:3, Informative)
You need this mouse. [tigerdirect.com]
It's pretty large and high so it fills up large hands and keeps them off the table a bit.
Re:A step backward (Score:2)
Re:A step backward (Score:5, Informative)
As it happens, the vertical mouse didn't seem to help at all with my RSI.
Re:A step backward (Score:2)
Re:A step backward (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:A step backward (Score:2)
Yes, the normal operation mode is not the bend around the wrist in all direction and ruining it, but rather use the whole lower arm for mouse operation.
As therefor is no problem, this mouse design doenst exacerbate (is this a word?) it.
Re:A step backward (Score:3, Informative)
Re:A step backward (Score:2)
Re:A step backward (Score:2)
Re:A step backward (Score:2)
With a horizontal mouse, you're only moving the mouse slightly (albeit unnaturally). With a horizontal mouse, you'll have to exert more energy to move the mouse (you're moving it against gravity at least half of the time).
People are lazy, and as such they don't want a workout when they use computers. If they did, things like PowerGloves and the like would be more prolific.
Who wants to hold their
Re:A step backward (Score:2)
I dunno what's with all of this ergonomic input crap, I can't stand it. Of course I don't type the way you "should" so some keys just wouldn't be within reach anymore, but in any case I find that a normal keyboard is a much more natural position for my hands. Even just one-handed mice (Logitech MX700, etc) absolutely don't work with me... because unless the thing is custom-molded to your ha
Re:A step backward (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:A step backward (Score:2)
Re:A step backward (Score:2)
Re:A step backward (Score:2)
Right, otherwise, you couldn't steer [google.com].
I'm not sure either what being a bicycle rider has to do with anything though. I kind of doubt this guy has ever held an arm straight out for two hours without support, as you suggest.
Dr. Benway perhaps? (Score:5, Insightful)
I have to ask, did anyone at ExtremeTech actually talk to a doctor who specializes in such things, or were these comments lifted from an Evoluent press release?
The reality of RSI is just so, so much more complex than these simple solutions would suggest.
Although how can you argue with a review like this [evoluent.com]:
Gained all the votes in terms of comfort and facility of use, of "look", colour and sympathy: the panel as a whole totally adhered to this new product.
Re:Dr. Benway perhaps? (Score:2)
(runs off to buy stock in a cyanoacrilate manufacturer)...
Re:Dr. Benway perhaps? (Score:2)
So in my opinion this is just marketing bs, because I can't think of any work related field involving the use of a mouse for 8 hours a day...
Re:Dr. Benway perhaps? (Score:2)
Not much of a thinker, huh? I'm a "database manager" which really means that I write crystal reports, develop database-driven webcrap, and so on. I spend this time at my computer. I operate the computer with a keyboard and a mouse.
Interestingly, when I worked at Cisco, you could walk around and see the programmer/engineers using their mouse pretty much all day
Re:Dr. Benway perhaps? (Score:2)
If you're going to use Photoshop all day, get a tablet.
Re:Dr. Benway perhaps? (Score:3, Interesting)
It's probably your piano playing that's protected you from mousing pain. That, or you just don't do it enough. It's worth mentioning that there is no correct position for using a traditional mouse, because (as has been noted in the article, but also previously) your wrist is twisted and then rotated when you use a mouse.
Vertical not the answer (Score:5, Interesting)
Ages ago I had a Gyration GyroMouse which totally kicked butt. With a mouse free from having to make contact with a horizontal surface, plus the fact I clicked with my thumb, rather than stressing my index finger, I found it to be a natural and easy feel. The only caveat was as the mouse remained in my palm the piezo-gyros would warm up a bit and the mouse would drift a little, but recalibration wasn't hard to do. $75 isn't an issue when you're talking about getting a superior mouse.
Poo. I've got some real ideas on how a mouse really should work, which could allow hands to remain on the keyboard, but after seeing an idea of mine ripped right off of /. and for sale on ThinkGeek, you
can guess why I won't post any of these ideas.
and it makes toast, too!
Re:Vertical not the answer (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Vertical not the answer (Score:3, Interesting)
http://www.fingerworks.com/ST_product.html [fingerworks.com]
Gyro Mouse (Score:2)
Works great as a desktop mouse because of the featured optical eye and comes with a great recharging stand (I love the way the LED throbs as it is being charged!).
I would just warn against leavin
Re:Vertical not the answer (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Vertical not the answer (Score:2)
I personally use a thumb trackball. I never run out of mouse pad, and I can set it at an angle on my leg or the armrest.
Re:Vertical not the answer (Score:2)
The next big thing? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:The next big thing? (Score:2)
Tell that to the people suffering RSI [wikipedia.org]. I hear my girlfriend complain alot about pains, from her wrist to her neck since even though she just uses a PC about 2 hours a day compared to my +11hours for my work,research and entertainment. After working for hours, I often feel strained too much to handle a mouse. (I'm well adjusted to do most with the keyboard, but some interfaces force manipulated with a mouse.)
I welcome all alternatives which eliminate that, PCs are not to be thought out of
Re:The next big thing? (Score:2)
This isn't a gyroscopic or 3d-mouse, it's just a normal mouse that's shaped differently.
Trackball (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Trackball (Score:3, Interesting)
Now that I think about it, I suppose the sensitivity of a trackball could be adjusted so that a 'flick' of the thumb moves the player's viewpoint
Re:Trackball (Score:2)
Of course, now my arm doesn't get any exercise at all... oh well.
Re:Trackball (Score:3, Informative)
My personal choice is the MS Trackball Explorer [microsoft.com]. Wonderfull design, acurate optical and very nice drivers in MS (holy buckets does mouse button control in linux blow chow). As fate would have it they got discontinued. I snapped up 3 that I plan on slowly doleing out over the years even though my current 3 (2 at home, 1 at work) work great and have for years. I looked around quite a bit before I bought the three, but found nothing that came close to it's ergonomics, and abilities. And
Re:Trackball (Score:2)
Re:Trackball (Score:2)
Unfortunately, that trackball is discontinued too.
Nobody seems to be interested in making trackballs anymore. Logitech hasn't updated their (horribly cramped) trackball line in a while, and Kensington seems to be stuck in the late 90's [kensington.com] design-wise.
Damn mice. Who thought rubbing a potato across your desk was a good idea for a control scheme?
Vertical Trackball? (Score:2)
Re:Trackball (Score:2)
Re:Trackball (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Trackball (Score:2)
Re:Trackball (Score:2)
Re:Trackball (Score:2)
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thum b/7/79/200px-Trackball2.jpg [slashdot.org]
-vs-
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thum b/6/68/Logitech-trackball.jpg/180px-Logitech-track ball.jpg [slashdot.org]
For the "surgeon's hands" issue, get one with a really big ball so you don't have to be so precise.
Old School Trackballs (Score:2)
3D gaming is on the way out anyway (Score:2)
Re:3D gaming is on the way out anyway (Score:2)
Re:3D gaming is on the way out anyway (Score:3, Insightful)
And as far as the upgrade thing is concerned, you buy a new console every few years, why not some new hardware every few years? You don't have to have the latest and greatest always you know. Just IMO though.
Re:3D gaming is on the way out anyway (Score:2)
wrist (Score:2)
Once more with feeling: (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Once more with feeling: (Score:2)
Re:Once more with feeling: (Score:2)
And Slashdot quoting a Kris Kristofferson song.
There is hope yet.
Why me lord?
Puto
Nothing like discrimination... (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Nothing like discrimination... (Score:2, Informative)
If you get the left/right handed ratio to 50:50, so that both items are produced and shipped in the same quantities, you can expect them to cost the same.
Re:Nothing like discrimination... (Score:2)
Being partially left-handed has its advantages and disadvantages... although I personally have found it fairly easy to adapt to a right-handed world. I use right-handed mice, in particular.
There is some very interesting information about left-handedness in its Wikipedia article [wikipedia.org].
It won't catch on... (Score:3, Insightful)
Long story short, you might like using this mouse but don't count on it ever replacing the current "horizontal" mouse for standard users.
Re:It won't catch on... (Score:2)
However, I do agree that a sideways mouse makes little sense at first glance. But I wonder if that has to with the fact that we are so used to the way they work. I would be interested to see how a two-year old child actually grabs a
____-click? (Score:3, Interesting)
*boggle*
Re:____-click? (Score:4, Funny)
Whippersnapper! Some of us are still clicking on icons of 5.25" disks..
A different type of vertical mouse: (Score:2, Informative)
My experience with these mice... (Score:3, Interesting)
Anyway I tried a vertical mouse (from evoluent) for several months. Eventually I started to find it uncomfortable and switched back to a normal mouse. I never found it to make much of a difference one way or another.
I also use a Kinesis Essential keyboard, which I've also not found to make a big difference one way or another.
Re:My experience with these mice... (Score:2)
Re:My experience with these mice... (Score:2)
No way (Score:3, Insightful)
I could see a tilted mouse working but full on vertical is a non-starter I think. My guess would be that vertial is to steep for the vast majority of people. Shaking hands is something that one does breifly and therefore I am willing to move my body into a less than optimal position. I don't find shaking hands particularly comfortable therefore I don't think I would find shakign hands all day with a mouse comfortable. Anyway, the big problem I see is that the mouse will tend to move away as you click. This makes sense as it has nothing to push against. A hand rest would solve that at teh expense of making the device clunky.
Nothing new under the sun.. (Score:3, Informative)
73
Wrist wrest (Score:2)
If you have wrist discomfort, be sure you're using a wrist pad to rule out that as a source of pressure.....
Twisted arm graphic (Score:2, Insightful)
(Link to graphic in the article here [ziffdavisinternet.com].)
Also, it seems to me, holding the mouse in a 90 degree angle, like their many examples show, would stress my THUMB more than holding a regular mouse would stress my "twisted" arm..
Try it yourself. Hold your arm like in their example, pretend like your holding the 90 degree mouse. Now move your wrist 90 degrees, as if you were going to hold a mouse. I'm not sure
Homer Simpson's Shoe (Score:2, Informative)
In any case, after using it for a few months, the pains she had been experiencing in her arm from using a regular mouse are gone.
Dump the mouse for good... (Score:2)
I use a vertical mouse - my tips (Score:2)
I definitely rec
Not new (Score:2, Interesting)
The companies that sell these (I know, I used to work for one) aren't actually aiming for the disabled-by-RSI market - in practice, there's very few people who actually HAVE disabling computer related RSI, and those that do usually just cut down on the intensity of their computer use - who they
Why the evoluent vertical mouse is best (Score:2, Informative)
3M Mouse: Has no scroll wheel. That makes this mouse completely useless to me.
Quill Mouse: The "shelf" is made of hard plastic. I much prefer using huge soft mousepads and resting my hands on those.
Trackball: Fine for normal use, impossible to play 10 tables of poker with.
Air/Gyration mice: Fun for a few
Re:Why the evoluent vertical mouse is best (Score:2)
Yup. Use a Pistol. (Score:2)
http://www.monstergecko.com/products.html [monstergecko.com]
Great mouse, and cheap too at $20. An added bonus is it frightens those who think like small children.
Good idea (Score:2)
Not for CAD/Photoshop (Score:3, Interesting)
I am not a CAD worker nor a GFX designer, but mice annoy the hell out of me enough. I personally have a trackball, one that is an old Logi design, and that pointer has a approx 35 degree button surface, so the idea is not entirely new.
I actually beleive, that an angle smaller than 90 is more appropriate and a more natural rest.
But hey, what does that matter? I type all day on the console
summary: I think it is a really retarded design
Still elusive to slashdotters... (Score:2)
more ergonomic? I'm not convinced. (Score:2)
Maybe it's because I've been using traditional computer keyboards and mice for 20+ years, of maybe it's because I've been playing drums for 15+ years, but to me the "wrists flat" position for my forearms seems a lot more natural than the "handshake" position.
I mean, the human body wasn't designed for holding our forearms out parallel to the floor for long periods, anyway -- so what difference does the rotational position of the arm make?
Vertical Mice? (Score:2)
Oh! New hardware. I didn't read TFA.
Still, though, I'm equally submissive to my keyboard and mouse at work for eight hours a day, so it might not be much of a change.
Power Glove + Vertical Mouse (Score:2)
next? (Score:2)
I've got one (Score:3, Informative)
The software is also somewhat crunky and I suspect it was causing BSODs, but it works reasonably well with the standard Microsoft mouse stuff.
I'm glad I got it and I like using it. I was getting strain from most mice save the cheapo low profile Compaq one I had laying around. Mice are so thick these days, forcing you to arch your hands.
But it has not had anywhere near the impact on life that I got by switching to the Kinesis keyboard.
Re:Wacom board (Score:2)
For a long time, I've thought that a touchpad (even a notebook-sized one) or tablet would almost as well as a mouse if they worked more like joysticks. E.G., you move your finger all the way to the edge of the touchpad and the cursor will keep moving in the same direction.
Re:Wacom board (Score:2)
Re:Mice Innovation has been stunted by MS/Logitech (Score:2)
Re:Mice Innovation has been stunted by MS/Logitech (Score:2, Informative)
Like the parent poster suggested, this mouse comes with a thumb scrollwheel and an additional rocking thumbswitch. My hand is tilted at approximately 20
Re:Thinkpad stick? (Score:2)
IMHO, touchpads are the worst of the lot, if only for their position below the palms where they get constantly touched. They are also impossible to use for anything accurate, in my experience. This is probably due in part to the size of fingertips, which are not